Track link



June 3, 1952 A. w. PHELPS 2,593,328

TRACK LINK Filed Nov. 9 1949 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 g N *1 R} N I INVENTOR.

A. W. PHELPS June 3, 1952 TRACK LINK 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Nov. 9, 1949Patented June 3, 1952 TRACK LINK Alva W. Phelps, Kenilworth, 111.,assignor to The Oliver Corporation, a corporation of DelawareApplication November 9, 1949, Serial No. 126,415

The present invention relates generally to crawler type tractors, butmore particularly to a novel and improved construction of the link whichforms the endless track for crawler type tractors.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide anovel, simple and easily assembled track link for crawler type tractorsin which the link consists of two identical sections, except that one isa right hand section and the other is a left hand section, both of whichare secured together by a single bolt to form the track link.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel sectional tracklink in which the lug or tooth of the link is located in the approximatecenter of the track link and has a transverse bore therein to receive abolt for securing the two sections together. In this connection it is tobe noted that the lug or tooth portion of the link forms the sprocketWheel engaging surface at a position spaced from the pivotal connectionwith the adjacent links.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel andimproved track link in the form of two sections secured together by asingle bolt and in which the pivotal connection between the adjacentlink is completely enclosed or sealed to prevent the entrance ofabrasive soil into the bearing portions of said links.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and simplifiedsectional track link in which the pivotal connection between theadjacent links is properly sealed by a plastic or rubber ring forpreventing the entrance of abrasive soil at points adjacent the innerpivotal connections or bearings between the links.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing a construction andan arrangement of the various parts in the manner hereinafter describedand particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an inside top plan view of a portion of a track embodying myimproved track link;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of one end of the track link;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the other end of the track link;

Fig. 5 is a top plan or outside view of a portion of the track;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 66 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 11 in Fig. 2; and

1 Claim. (01. 305-10) Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the line8-8 in Fig. 2.

In illustrating one form my improved track link may assume in practice,I have shown the same as comprising two identical track link sections,generally indicated by the reference character ill. The only difierencebetween these two track link sections is that one is a right handsection while the other is a left hand section. The track section inthis instance comprises a flat horizontal ground engaging plate or basell of substantially rectangular shape and a perpendicular and upwardlyextending side wall or rib I2 formed integrally therewith. The wall l2of the track link section 10 is located in substantially thelongitudinal center thereof. The inner and lower portions of the wall l2are vertical, as shown at l3, and taper outwardly, as shown at M. Formedintegrally adjacent one end of the wall [2 is an outwardly projectingtapered bearing stud l5 which forms one of the pivotal connections tothe next adjacent link in the manner hereinafter described. The otherend of the vertical rib [2 of the link I0 is provided with an outwardlyofiset or laterally projecting portion as shown at i6 which terminatesin a longitudinal extension rib I! in alignment with the outside edge l8of the flat plate H of the track link section [0. Formed in thisextension rib I1 is an inside tapered socket [9 which is adapted topivotally receive the complementary bearing stud I5 of the next adjacentlink section. The socket I9 is completely enclosed from the outside byan offset wall 20 formed integrally with the wall extension l'l so as toprevent the entrance of abrasive materials into the bearing portion ofthe link. The offset portion l 6 of the track link section I0 isreinforced or strengthened by a horizontal rib 2| which is formedintegrally with the track section and located at a point in approximatecenter of the track link section. The rib extension I! has an irregularcurved or cut-out recess 22 on the inner side thereof so as to allow forsufllcient clearance for the outwardly beveled end 23 of the nextadjacent link on the pivotal movement of one link with the next adjacentlink. The opposite ends of the plate I I of the track link section l0terminates short of planes passing through pivotal points of the linksections, as shown at 23, so as to permit the discharge of accumulatedsoil or dirt between the adjacent link sections. Located in thelongitudinal center of the track link section I0 and formed integrallywith the vertical rib l2 and plate I I is an inwardly projecting lug ortooth 24. The outer surfaces sections I0 is a bolt 26 for securing theright and left hand track link, sections to together. In connection itwill be noted that the-inner longitudinal and contiguous verticalsurfaces of the lugs 24 and horizontal plates H are machine" additionalstrength. It will be further observed that by enoasing the pivotalpoints on the outside of the link sections and sealing the inner portionof these bearings by a plastic or rubber seal rin abrasive materialswill be prevented from entering these bearing points to thereby reduceto a minimum the wear on these links and consequently reduce. to aminimum the repair or replacement required. a

While in the above specification I have described one embodiment whichmy invention may finished as shown at 21 so that the right and. lefttrack link sections will be brought into proper alignment with oneanother; iormingthe com-- 7 plate link. In the drawings lE'have-shown asingl transverse and outwardly projecting tapered ground engaging lug28, but it will, of course, be understood that other types or forms ofground engaging lugs may be formed integrally with the hor zental pla ell of the.- t c s li k: se i ns In order to prevent the entraneeqf;abrasive or or gnv mater al in o'- the bear t .513 98% inks. I ha e PI YdQ a p ast c or: r bber' ing 2% hich s. adapted to be seate in semieircule annul r ec s 30; on the inner end tenuresthetwc sccfiens to e herto 01m In: this; nnec on. it ill ls he chser cd. th t. hen one13,812.15; be ng connected to. the next adleesh the bea in studs: [5,are. inserted h hejccmn m htam recesses ill-oi the next adiacc t. nk;ter hi h he 12011 2.6 may he; ser cd; andsecurc a It will; fur her bnoted that 5; avi g; theeeth o the ive sproc et. wheel 2.9356:heintermed ate portion of 'the. -track:lihls atpoints; spaced from thepivotal; ccnncctinns. Qt. he driv ng strain: smcre venly disributedhmushcntthelink n tatanci twhere the ho t eming; helink. ecicnstceether-ancrds fines, therubber rin 23 to. seal; he. he ringassumein practice, it will, of course, be understood that the same is capableof modification and that modification be made Without departing fromthe, spirit and scope of the invention as expressed the following claim.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

An endless belt track link comprising two longitudinallv extending rightand lefthand sections having co t guo s inner fi ish surfaces contactone anmrhe Saidsecticns; includinghoriacm talflat, plates. and longitdina ly ex end ng Pen pendicular ribs spaced: outwardly from; thefinished: surf c s thereof aligned and ontwardlt? hreiect e tuds orm d 0m d c saidnihs. al gned b aringpe tl atormed n e Q herrends of:saidribs, there, being; alignedsopkets; in; said bearing portions;wellsj o med integral y with said ribs; and encasin gthe; Outer portions023. said sockets, aligned drive wheel engaging lugsjorn ed he sa donsnth anhroxima e nter at sa se tio s. h re, b n al gned. aeertuses sanssland molten-ts a thr gh said-en mas nr-s rinesaid;settlchstceethen.

RE EBEHQE$ CITED-:- The following references are of reeond-z inthe fileof this: patent: UNITED STATES Number Nam 7 E ts c- -err '-r"-v ,imarten W gkersham "5... Ann 1,, L923 1, V&-6,292. George. Ma man, Eeb.,2Q, 1,9;23, 1,-gl8fi,37.7 neither- ,rww" Man L1,, 1924- 1,487,416Whitloch,WW .Marall xllz 2,332,715 n mnsteh fi w Q tr26

